Inkwell



Dec. 17; 1940. J. D. THOMPSON INKWELL Filed April 17, 1940 IN V N TOR.

A TTORNEX W03 BY Patented Dec. 17, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,225,490 p INKWELL. James D. Thompson, Eureka, Calif.

Application April 17, 1940, SerialNo. 330,097

'6 Claims. (01. -5)

a support for a pen, such as indicated at [5, and

This invention relates to an inkwell, and especially to an attachment whereby the removal or replacement of a, pen will serve toopen or close a cover on the well.

It is old to construct an inkwell having a main and a connected auxiliary reservoir for the reception of ink, and a cover rotatably mounted thereon, said cover having an extension for the auxiliary reservoir which causes opening or closing of said reservoir when the cover is rotated. The object of the present invention is generally to improve and simplify the constructionand operation of a cover opening and closing mechanism for inkwells of the character described, and especially to provide means actuated by the weight of a pen whereby rotary movement is transmitted to the cover to swing the extended portion thereof out of register with the auxiliary reservoir when the pen is removed, and for swinging it to register or close the auxiliary reservoir when the pen is replaced.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the inkwell and attached cover actuating mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 isa plan View of the inkwell and the base supporting the same, said View showing the cover and actuating mechanism removed; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, A indicates in general an inkwell which may be made of glass or any other suitable material. The particular shape of the well is more or less immaterial, but in this instance it is shown as substantially square in outline, as it has a front 2, a back portion 3, and a pair of side walls 5 and 4. Formed centrally thereof is a main ink reservoir 6 and communicating therewith is an auxiliary reservoir 1, through which the pen is dipped when the well is used. Extending around the upper surface of the main reservoir of the well, and up to the side walls 8 and 9 of the auxiliary reservoir is an upwardly extending flange Which forms a seat for a cover H. The cover is in turn provided with a downwardly extending annular flange l2 to hold the cover in place and to guide it during rotational movement, as will hereinafter be described. It will also be noted that the cover is provided with an extended portion M which normally assumes a position in register with the auxiliary well to function as a cover therefor.

The main feature of the present invention is to provide a simple attachment which serves as which also serves to impart suflicient rotational movement to the cover to swing the extended portion l4 thereof into and out of register with the auxiliary well when the pen is replaced or removed. The mechanism required is a base B and a plate generally indicated at C, which is pivoted to the side of the base as shown at l6. The inkwell proper, when placed on the base, is secured against movement by an annular flange or raised portion ll, which extends around the front and back and one side of the base. Centrally of the base is formed a circular-shaped boss l8, and in the bottom of the well is a pocket 19 for its reception. The flange ll, boss I8, and pocket l9 secure the well in position on the base. The plate C is substantially rectangular in shape; one end of the plate has a holder 19 formed and secured thereto to receive the pen [5. The op posite side thereof carries a counter-weightZO, and this is adjustable by the provision of a set screw 2! which extends through an elongated slot 22 formed in the plate. In the upper and central portion of the plate is formed an opening 23, and extending therethrough is an arm 24 which is secured to the center top portion of the cover in a suitable manner, as indicated at 25.

In actual operation, when the pen is placed in the holder IS the weight thus supplied will rock the plate C about its pivot I6 and, through the arm 24, will impart rotational movement to the cover H, causing it to swing the extended portion l4 over the auxiliary well 1 to cover the same. Conversely, by removing the pen, the counter-weight 20 reverses the rocking movement, and the rotational movement then transmitted causes the extended cover portion to assume the dotted line position shown at 26. Stop pins 21 and 28, or similar devices, are secured to the base in the path of movement of the plate C, and thus limit movement of the plate in either direction.

The device as a whole is exceedingly simple and substantial in construction. The mere removal or replacement of the pen l5 automatically opens or closes the auxiliary portion ofthe well, and this is the only portion that is uncovered, as the main portion of the cover II at all times maintains the main reservoir of the well closed. Evaporation of ink, or entrance of dust, is thus reduced to a minimum.

The plate C may be held on its pivot "5 by a nut Ilia, and by removal thereof the plate 0 may be removed; and when this is removed, the cover ll may be removed from the well and the well in turn may be removed from the base B for cleaning, inspection, or otherwise. Obviously arm 24 may be detachably secured to the cover, and when this provision is made the cover and inkwell may be removed without detachment of the cover actuating mechanism.

While this and other features of my invention have been more or less specifically described for purposes of illustration, I nevertheless wish it understood that various changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an inkwell having a main and a connected ink reservoir formed therein and. a main cover for the main reservoir with a portion of the cover extending over the auxiliary reservoir said main portion of the cover having a circular portion and a central point about which it is adapted to rotate, a member pivoted at one side of the well, a holder on said member to receive a pen, said holder imparting pivotal movement to said member when a pen is inserted or removed therefrom, and means actuated by said pivotal movement for imparting rotational movement to the main cover about its central point to open or close the auxiliary reservoir.

2. In an inkwell having a main and a connected ink reservoir formed therein and a main cover for the main reservoir with a portion of the cover extending over the auxiliary reservoir said main portion of the cover having a circular portion and a central point about which it is adapted to rotate, a rocker member disposed adjacent the well and having a holder formed thereon for the reception of a pen, said rocker rocking in one direction when the pen is removed and in an opposite direction when the pen is replaced, and means actuated by the rocking movement of the rocker for imparting rotational movement to the cover to close or uncover the auxiliary reservoir.

3. In an inkwell having a main and a connected ink reservoir formed therein and a main cover for the main reservoir with a portion of the cover extending over the auxiliary reservoir said main portion of the cover having a circular portion and a central point about which it is adapted to rotate, an auxiliary rocker member disposed adjacent the well and having a holder formed thereon for the reception of a pen, said rocker rocking in one direction when the pen is removed and in an opposite direction when the pen is replaced, means actuated by the rocking movement of the rocker for imparting rotational movement to the cover about its central point to close or uncover the auxiliary reservoir, and means for limiting rocking movement of the rocker and rotational movement of the cover.

4. In an inkwell having a main and a connected ink reservoir formed therein and a main cover for the main reservoir with a portion of the cover extending over the auxiliary reservoir said main portion of the cover having a circular portion and a central point about which it is adapted to rotate, an auxiliary rocker member disposed adjacent the well and having a holder formed thereon for the reception of a pen, said rocker rocking in one direction when the pen is removed and in an opposite direction when the pen is replaced, and a radially disposed arm secured to the central point of the cover and connected at one end with the rocker, said arm through means of the rocker transmitting rotational movement to the cover about its central point to close or uncover the auxiliary reser- 5. In an inkwell having a main and a connected ink reservoir formed therein and a main cover for the main reservoir with a portion of the cover extending over the auxiliary reservoir said main portion of the cover having a circular portion and a central point about which it is adapted to rotate, an auxiliary rocker member disposed adjacent the well and having a holder formed thereon for the reception of a pen, said rocker rocking in one direction when the pen is removed and in an opposite direction when the pen is replaced, a radially disposed arm secured to the central point of the cover and connected at one end with the rocker, said arm through means of the rocker transmitting rotational movement to the cover about its central point to close or uncover the auxiliary reservoir, and meansfor limiting rocking movement of the rocker and rotational movement of the cover.

6. In an inkwell having a main and an auxiliary reservoir formed therein for the reception of ink and a rotatable main cover covering the main reservoir and having an auxiliary portion extended to cover the auxiliary reservoir said main portion of the cover having a circular portion and a central point about which it is adapted to rotate, a plate pivoted to one side and below the inkwell, said plate extending above the pivot and having an adjustable counter-weight at one end and a pen receiver at the opposite end, said v plate adapted to rock about its pivot in one direction when a pen is placed in the receiver and in an opposite direction when the pen is removed, a radially disposed arm secured to the central point of the cover and having one end extending through an opening formed in the rocker plate whereby when the plate rocks rotary movement is transmitted to the cover about its central point to open or close the auxiliary reservoir, and means for limiting rocking movement of the plate about its pivot and simultaneously rotational movement of the cover.

JAMES D. THOMPSON. 

